Page 87 of Desolation

She relaxes into me and I spin her around bringing her lips to mine. It’s a gentle kiss. Not the rough and hurried ones we usually have. And I know this kiss means more. Means that this isn’t just casual.

We break apart when my phone rings. It’s been sitting on the kitchen island since yesterday morning.

“She’s called nine times today.”

My eyes go to Mari.

“I silenced it so you wouldn’t wake up earlier.”

I nod as I reach for my phone and decline the call. “He died a year ago yesterday. It’s hard on both of us.”

“Of course it is. Death is never easy.”

“She’s handling it much better than I am.” I rub my hands over my face. “She keeps telling me to see a therapist. It’s what made her better. Well, as she puts it ‘handling most days.’”

Mari grabs my forearm and squeezes. “She lost a husband and a child. If she is ‘handling’ it, she must be surviving. Don’t feel guilty.”

I shake my head. “It’s hard not to. Not to mention she pressures me to see a therapist too.”

“We all handle things at our own pace. Don’t put that pressure on yourself.”

I nod and want to sweep this woman into my arms. She gets me. No one does. But for some reason she does. And I think I am falling for her.

The timer on the oven goes off and she pulls away before I can tell her something I will probably regret later.

“Let’s eat,” she says. “Don’t think about that shit. We’ll talk about something else.”

We sit outside on the balcony and eat. The warm salty breeze calming me every minute we sit here. We talk about sports and movies and books. Anything that isn’t something serious. I don’t even notice when the sun sets.

She yawns and I grab her hand, pulling her back to the bedroom. “You’re tired. Let’s get some sleep.”

She fights off another yawn. “I should get home. I am sure Dax is worried about me.”

“I’ll text him.”

“No, I should really go.”

I block her way to the door. “Please don’t leave. Not tonight.”

She studies me as I say it. Understanding flashes across her features and she nods. “Okay.”

I walk her back to the bed. Pulling off her clothes between pulling off mine. I lay her down and bring my mouth to hers, enveloping her lips with my own.

“Landon,” she sighs.

“I need to feel you, Mar.”

She lets out a moan as my hand slides between her thighs. Coaxing them open to the heaven in between. I slide down the bed as my mouth lands on her center. I suck hard before I press my tongue softly against her. I alternate between hard and soft strokes, my fingers an added bonus for her pleasure.

She arches off the bed, moaning and gasping my name as I bring her to orgasm.

I climb up her body, spreading her legs wider as I go to slide home.

“Landon, we didn’t use—”

“I don’t care,” I tell her as I thrust all the way in. She grips my shoulders hard as I gently make love to her. She pulls my mouth to hers as we slowly bring each other to the precipice.

I rest my forehead against hers. “I should have asked.”

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